A handful of protesters, thousands of spectators and police turned out to a Boxing Day Hunt which has been marred with controversy.

Bawtry Town Council voted to ban the annual event from using its land recently after three people involved with the Grove and Rufford Hunt were convicted of illegal fox hunting earlier this year.

Weeks of heated and sometimes bitter debate followed the decision with people on both sides staunchly defending their positions.

The hunt was moved from Bawtry to private land in nearby Scaftworth with the King William Inn - who say they have received death threats since announcing their support - on hand to provide refreshments.

Animal rights activists and various other concerned locals applauded Bawtry Town Council's decision and condemned the hunt after it was revealed the trio who were convicted would be playing a part.

The National Trust, who run Clumber Park, have changed their approach to licensing trail hunts and have banned the use of animal-based scents to reduce the risk of "foxes or other wild animals being accidentally chased."

They have also banned terriermen and the use of their vehicles, saying they "have no practical purpose on a trail hunt".